| Abstract: |
This study investigated the effectiveness of a social skills intervention targeting nonverbal communication for 8 adolescents (aged 12-17 yrs) with Asperger syndrome (AS) and related pervasive developmental delays. The Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy 2 was used as a pre- and posttest measure to assess participants' nonverbal language skills. During the 8-week social skills intervention, lessons were adapted from those presented in Teaching Your Child the Language of Social Success (M. P. Duke et al, 1996). Training during the first 4 weeks targeted paralanguage (deciphering varying tones of voice and rates of speech, understanding nonverbal sound patterns, and gaining meaning from others' marked emphases in speech). The remaining 4 sessions focused on identifying and responding to the facial expressions of others. The following teaching strategies were employed throughout the social skill intervention: role-playing, modeling, and reinforcement through feedback. Results are discussed relative to social growth among participants. |
